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  Lynda Wallis Artist Maker

The Creative
Process

Art is a wonderful way to experience the world.

The New Beaver Hollow Sign Has Been Installed

7/7/2022

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Beaver Hollow sign installed at North Pikes Creek Wetlands in the Upper Peninsula, MI, Photo by Kathy Wendling

It’s always gratifying to receive photos from clients.
Photos represent the culmination of a long creative process we’ve undertaken — together.

In many instances, it may be the first time the client has been part of the creative process involved in creating an interpretive sign or a series of signs.

At some point, a group of folks got together and decided it would be an excellent idea to have interpretive signs made for their favorite natural area. Often a grant has been written and awarded. Sometimes groups hold fundraisers to have interpretive signs created.

By the time I’m contacted, the group, or organization has invested a lot of time and energy into the project. There are pretty clear ideas of what stories should be told.

From that point, I lead the team through the creative process, creating just-right, unique signs that best tell the stories of their favorite place.

In the instance of North Pikes Creek Wetlands, located in the Upper Peninsula, MI, the group knew they wanted very few words on their sign. They also wanted the hand-drawn image to be loaded with as many critters and native plants shrubs and trees as I could fit in.

Reference photos of their critters were supplied. I put together a sloppy copy — I love making these super quick, raw sloppy sketches. I always assure my clients in the end they will get the high-quality illustration I’m known for.

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Sloppy copy or concept sketch. By Lynda Wallis, Freelance Illustrations

The sloppy copy allows clients to make large changes to the separate elements, layout, placement, and overall composition of the work before I get into the final art.
Throughout the process of creating the final illustration, I often refer back to the energy and looseness of the first sloppy copy. There are often elements in the sloppy copy that I try to retain in the final work.
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It can take a month or more to finalize a drawing — it all depends on the client’s deadline or how much work I have in-house when each individual project comes in. The back and forth is often. I never want a client to be confronted by any surprises when we reach the end of a project.

Wendling’s kind words sum up the goal of this project perfectly.

..."I watch people walking by it, and almost all of them stop and look at it for a while, and point out species on the sign. I would say it’s a hit, and it is doing what we intended. Thank you for all your work on this project! We really appreciate it." Kathy Wendling, Naturalist, North Pikes Creek Wetlands

Need interpretive signs?
Consider hiring me.

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    Love:
    looking at art,
    talking about art,
    making art,
    writing about art,
    hearing about art.


    I am so very fortunate to have a dear friend who is a rabid lover of art like me.

    During the cold winter months, we travel every other week in search of art.

    There are art shows everywhere if you look - and we do.

    Every local library has an art show, most towns have small art centers or at least one art gallery.

    A small college?
    You are most likely in luck, there will be a small gallery showcasing an artist's or a group of artist's labors of love and passion.

    Many local restaurants and coffee shops regularly hang the work of local artists.

    All you need to do is be on the lookout.

    You will be richly rewarded by spending some time inside an artist's vision or view of the world.


    We dig around online to find shows somewhere within 100 miles of where we both live - we live 38 miles from each other.

    After some back and forth, make our decision and point our cars at our destination.


    We have yet to be disappointed.

    Mostly we come away from our bi-weekly adventures filled with awe and profound gratitude that we are able to have these experiences.



    Picture
    "Swim Faster" Diorama, 14" x 24" x 1.5" Torn paper, watercolor & assembly. Created by Lynda Wallis, 1-2022
    "Swim Faster" story

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  • Home
  • Art
  • Illustration
  • Signs
  • Maps
  • Graphics
  • Jewelry
    • 2022 Bracelet Luv Show Schedule
  • Words
  • Etc.
  • Blog
  • Contact
  • About